Canfield youth wrestlers place at state

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Canfield's Taarek Maalouf looks to secure a pin and the victory. Maalouf (140 pounds, Div. 11-12) finished eighth in the two-day event.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Canfield youth wrestlers placing at the OAC Grade School state tournament are, from left, Nick Crawford, David Crawford, Will Dawson, and Taarek Maalouf.

Youth wrestlers in grades six and under from all over Ohio competed for spots on the awards podium last weekend at the OAC Grade School State Wrestling Championships at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown.

The eight wrestlers in each of 41 weight classes were honored. The two-day event included action on 10 mats.

Four Canfield wrestlers earned honors through their performances. The quartet was led by Nick Crawford, who took second place in the 90-pound bracket in the 9-10 division.

He won four matches on his way to the title bout, including a close 10-8 win in the semifinals. In the finals, he lost by pin to Buchtel’s George Rozier.

“It is awesome to be in the finals,” said Crawford. “Last year, I got here as an alternate and went 0-2.”

Older brother David Crawford was fourth in the 100-pound class in the 11-12 division, going 4-2 on the weekend. This is the second time he has placed at this tournament after taking sixth in 2011.

Will Dawson (95 pounds, 11-12) lost his first match of the tournament, then had to win his next five matches, three by pin, to be able to place sixth.

“I got caught up in the arena and all the mats and people that first match,” said Dawson. “After that, I just focused on what I need to do the win the next match.”

Taarek Maalouf (140, 11-12), a first-year wrestler, finished eighth.

“Taarek is a great kid and a good athlete,” said Canfield Wrestling Club coach Dave Crawford. “He focused on a couple moves and got really good at them. I think he has great potential in the coming years.”

Other Canfield wrestlers competing last weekend were Hunter Helminiak, Andy Garr, Carter Myers, Dominic Cooper, Daniel Kapalko, Ethan Fletcher, Aiden Burscak, Mike O’Horo and Mike Crawford.

Other Valley wrestlers earning honors were Columbiana’s Roclen Buttera (first, 75 pounds, 5-6 division), Brookfield’s Damin Vadala (second, 65, 9-10), Poland’s Matt Cardello (second, 80, 11-12 div) and Beaver Local’s Cole McComas (fourth, 68, 9-10).